Why have I allowed myself to get into this shape? With life
comes responsibility and with decisions comes consequences. It’s
your choice today to do something positive. Tomorrow it may be
out of your hands. There are three underlying emotions that keep
you from taking better care of yourself: denial, pride, and
laziness. Consciously or subconsciously, this threesome is the
root of why most Americans have allowed themselves to get in the
shape they are in.

Are you one of them?

Chances are sooner or later one or all three will be riding with
you in the car to the hospital. Have you found yourself saying
these things?

“My diet is not that bad.” “A few trips to the fast food joint
once in awhile won’t hurt.” “My blood pressure is fine today. It
wouldn’t hurt if I skipped a day of taking my medication.” “My
New Year’s resolution next month is to get in better shape.”
“Why have I let myself get this out of shape?

DENIAL

“It won’t happen to me?no way, no how!”

Unfortunately, it is what we cannot see that is killing us. Our
insides are getting eaten away because of our lack of exercise
and poor eating habits. Society is so concerned with extreme
makeover television shows that we have been caught off guard
with the silent killers: heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Even if the outside looks good, the damage is still done inside
our bodies. Over time we have made ourselves feel comfortable
with certain lifestyle habits.

We overlook the long-term consequences of our behaviors. We see
things going on around us, but we continue to put off exercise
and eating better for another day. Out of the three, Denial is
the sneakiest beast of them all.

PRIDE

“Do not let them see you sweat or show any signs of weakness.”

Ever find yourself saying one of these? “If I cannot do it on my
own, then I will not do it at all.” “Just the very fact of
having to take better care of me, irritates me.” “I’ll put off
my check up until next fall.” Ever have any of these thoughts?
Denial’s brother, Pride, may not be the sneakiest, but he is the
strongest personality of the boys. Having too much pride costs
millions of lives every year in any arena you can imagine,
especially in health and the aging process. While pride may be
the strongest emotion out of the three, he always seems to lose.
His ego gets the best of him and aging finally wins out in the
end.

LAZINESS

“I’ll start tomorrow on my exercise program.” Exercise and
eating right takes discipline, and planning. For some, that’s
too much to ask. If that’s you, you may be missing out on a
really wonderful healthy quality filled life. But, does that
really matter to you?

Why is America the fattest nation in the world? Laziness! It’s
just that simple. If you think a pill, surgery, or wishful
thinking is going to replace hard work you have been HAD by the
media. It takes hard consistent work. Having Lazy as a friend
may cost you your life someday. Why are most countries healthier
and thinner than us? They are more active and more resourceful.

One out of three of you will break a bone. Half of you are on
the verge of obesity and diabetes. A third of you will suffer a
heart attack. Half of you will end up in a nursing home. And
most of you are not living a life filled with confidence, good
sleeping patterns, high energy or happiness. Why now? You tell
me?why not now?

Do the math! Numbers do not lie. You either accept the road less
traveled or you face the consequences. It’s just that simple.
This may resemble a scare tactic, but the bottom line is this is
the reality. You either pay the price now by putting in some
effort and time, or you pay the doctor bill later.

If you think for one second you are exempt, above reproach, or
just relying on luck or faith, think again. Your best defense is
a good offense.

Why now? Denial, Pride and Lazy will always creep in to make you
miserable.